Analysis symbols

A compact mark added to analysis to judge a move or summarize the state of a position.

It is an international vocabulary of signs that condenses chess comments and assessments without relying on one language.

An annotation stating that the commentator considers a move good.

A strong praise annotation for a move considered exceptional.

An annotation stating that the commentator considers a move bad or mistaken.

An annotation marking a blunder or an extremely poor move.

An annotation for an interesting or speculative move whose quality remains uncertain.

An annotation for a questionable move that is probably inferior but not necessarily disastrous.

The ⌓ sign introduces an alternative that the annotator considers better than the move or line under discussion.

The □ square marks a move the annotator considers the only reasonable choice in the position.

The triangle △ introduces the intention or continuation that explains the purpose of a move.

The letter N marks a move presented as new within the known theory of an opening.

The ⊥ sign indicates that a variation enters an endgame or that the analysis refers to that phase.

An evaluation symbol stating that neither side has a meaningful overall advantage in the position.

An evaluation symbol showing a small White advantage in a position that remains close to balanced.

An evaluation symbol showing a small Black advantage in a position that remains close to balanced.

An evaluation symbol showing a clear or moderate White advantage, but not a completed win.

An evaluation symbol showing a clear or moderate Black advantage without declaring the game finished.

An evaluation symbol showing a decisive White advantage even though the game has not necessarily ended.

An evaluation symbol showing a decisive Black advantage even though the game has not necessarily ended.

An analysis symbol indicating that White has a crushing advantage in the position.

An analysis symbol indicating that Black has a crushing advantage in the position.

An evaluation symbol for a position that is difficult to judge and offers significant resources to both sides.

The sign indicates that non-material advantages offset a material deficit to some degree.

Vertical arrows identify the side directing play by creating threats that demand replies.

An annotation arrow indicates which side has an active attack in the position.

Opposing arrows indicate that one side is creating active threats while answering the opponent's pressure.

Curved arrows show that one side has activated its pieces more quickly and effectively.

A glyph marking a position where the obligation to move harms the side whose turn it is.

Signs recording that limited clock time is materially affecting a player's decisions.

The ⊞ sign marks one side's advantage in controlling the central squares.

A circle indicating that one side controls more useful territory and has greater room to maneuver.

Pointed signs mark a control advantage in the half of the board where each king begins.

A family of signs marking a control advantage on the part of the board called the queenside.

The sign highlights a board file that forms an important strategic line.

The ⇗ sign highlights a diagonal that plays an important role in the positional analysis.

The × mark identifies a vulnerable square, pawn, piece, or area that may become a target.

The sign identifies pawns belonging to the same side on neighboring files that can operate as a unit.

A glyph marking friendly pawns that do not form a connected, mutually supporting unit.

The sign marks two or more pawns belonging to the same side on the same file.

A glyph marking a pawn with no opposing pawns ahead on its file or either neighboring file.

A symbol indicating that one side has more pawns than the other in the annotated position.

The sign indicates that one side has two bishops able to operate on both square colors.

A glyph indicating that the relevant bishops move on squares of the same color.

The sign indicates that the relevant bishops of the two sides travel on opposite square colors.